St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-10-08

| CauSnt OF Wnlte trousers ana cleaning
bell-buttons) were the committee o
reception" They were silent; we wer'
silent. Why didn't they ask d.
in? With true Western chivalry
volunteered to be spokesman of our lit
tie band. In l bolted. but before my
lips were to render their importan
charge a change came over the spirit
of my dreams. Fifteen STRIPPING sol
diers jumped out of their seats and
with one accord shouted. presumably te
me, ] scarcely knew to whom: ''Ge,
out Of here. mister!'' and as smile ol
incredulity played upon my features
land wipe that smile of your face,
too.'
As nay retreating figure cleared the
doorway one savage throat hOwled
again: Il want to see you read the
rules before coming in here again,
SIR" I and my abashed partners
glanced wonderingly around. hoping
that we had by mistake gotten in the
wrong place. when we noticed on the
Intel Of the door sheet of white pa
per. Some of the rules for the regula-
ton of new cadets read thus: Before
coming in the Office be careful to but
ton each button Of the coat; carry the
palms of the hands straight to the
front; deport yourself in . military
manner; end every official communica-
tion with Sir always prefix the title.
Mr. to your own and Others names,
and never speak until spoken to-
Again silence prevailed. Who should
make the next attempt? Who of us
should inform them that We were sent
over not to be disturbed. but to be as
signed to quarters? Not I. After .
painful suspense . long lank fellow
from the South essaycd L. In he
walked with = ''We've come To-"
but no. the band inside. each and every
one sprang from their seats as though
urged by bent pins. "Wcll. Mr.. Du-
ticket. did you read the or,lers not to
speak until spoken to? Take your
Shiny eyes offof me and quit that gazing
around" said one tall cadet OF ramrod
proportions. A tittering outside brought
three of the occupants of the room to
the scene of merriment. Evidently the
gentlemen on the exterior were enjoy
ing their partners discontinue. for it
is human nature for people in misery to
laugh at any thing very ridiculous.
The perpendicular cadet asked: ''What
do you beasts mean by laughing out
here? Suppose you &c: your fins
mountaineering. OF course. their
hands. 'Well. mister" approaching
an evidently tick'ed green country fel-
low. You'll find this q very serious
affair before you get through; stand up,
sir; this is no laughing matterv" These
words rang harshly through the hall
way of the Tenth division. but there was
none to aid. Retreat was impracti-
cable; to leave in disgust WAS to re-
nounce all hopes of military fame.
There was bu: one other refugc-to
fight for liberty. This was subsequently
tried by several of the ''beasts," but
with poor results. as their disigured
faces attested. West Point gymnasium
was too thorough to permit Of
! ..beast" whipping '.yearling' q. e..
one who has been at West Point q
year.) Even though one Of class falls
! victim to the hard blows of = sinewy
plebe, West Point etiquette prescribes
mother and yet another Of the defeated
classmates to fight the victor. and as it
j. impossible for one to whip . whole
class the pill. however bitter, must be
The lank Southern youth was still in
he Office, surrounded BY . host OF ad-
nirers. '.What's your name. mister?"
,ueried one. Confidence returning ut
his good-natured question. he Of tho
south replied. Brown" Confidence
vas shattered. though. when the infor.
nation was hurled back, mo, sir. Mr..
you understand Well.
low. Mr.. Brown. what's your name ?"
"Mr. Brown"
Brown WAS wrong again. "Mr.
Brown. didn't you understand that you
must end all official communications
nth . sir? You are the most b j.
,,ebe ever saw!"
There was once at the academy
'ery saucy plebe named B. J. B. and
fter his departure the term "B J."
- ever been applied to the cheeky |
,>,~vAk
After Mr., Brown had been thus
larshly dealt with for minutes that
eemed to him hours. and the rest Of Us
'utside had been swooped down upon
We felt relieved when es-
orted up stairs and assigned to quar-
ers. We felt further relieved when We
aw another band Of recruits coming.
hey had been examined physically
nd were now to report to the cadet Of
cers.
Bunked four or Eve in . room, We
rere given . few instructions and left |
lone to meditation. Il was two weeks |
'efore We had undergone mental exam
nation in all the preliminary studies.
nd were admitted to the academy.
'uring the period We were designated
. candidates BY the authorities. but
things" and ''beasts" by tine cadets.
q his fourth class year . cadet 10 famil-
arly known as . ''plebe."
land my temporary room-matss had .
hort breathing spell. We heard the
attic Of drums outside and wondered IL
he music the band WAS playing could
yer thrill ~ respondent creatureA In
be midst Of thought We were disturbed
Y the loud voice Of . cadet corporal.
Ie stood at the bottom Of the first flight
( stairs and shouted with all his MIGHT: